I have a really old Mini 14 "181" that my dad gave me about 10 years ago. No telling how long he had i before that. I took it to the range yesterday and shot 30 rounds thru it trying to get it sighted in. This is the best I could get at 100 yards. Needless to say I am not real happy with the accuracy right now. I was looking at the MO-Rod info but I don't think they will fit this model. Any suggestions on how to make some improvements would be appreciated.

Assuming that the last two shots are by the circle? That is about the best grouping you will get from the older Minis. They are not the most accurate rifles. But keeping in mind they were designed to be a defense weapon.

There is actually quite a bit that can be done. Read the five stickies "TIPS ON ACCURIZING THE MINI-14" parts 1-5. That will give you some ideas what CAN be done. Then you have to decide how much work and/or money you're willing to invest. As was said above, Minis were never exactly meant to be target rifles. They can become pretty decent shooters though!

I read the stickies and realize that some improvements could be made. I am also not sure the scope is holding zero either. There may be a lot of things going on simultaneously. Thanks for the input. I am thinking that I might be better off looking at a new .223 instead of throwing good money after bad.

I read the stickies and realize that some improvements could be made. I am also not sure the scope is holding zero either. There may be a lot of things going on simultaneously. Thanks for the input. I am thinking that I might be better off looking at a new .223 instead of throwing good money after bad.

Check the scope first, as the other guys have said. Even if it's not that, you don't need to throw a lot of money into it. I swapped the front sight on mine for a flash suppressor (~$50), did some trigger work, shimmed the action (similar to bedding), made a rear recoil buffer & a smaller gas port bushing. For just that $50 I went from 8-10" groups @ 50 yards to 1-1/2" or so.
If you must have a sniper rifle, then you may want to look for something else. If you enjoy doing this kind of work & can settle for 2-4 MOA, then the Mini is a dependable, fun gun.

Thanks for the advice Roscoe. I may do that. My dad has an almost never fired Remington model 700 .243 bold action that may be better at filling my need for an accurate target rifle. I am going to give it a go at the range this weekend.